Online Education Planning Working Group

 Online Education Planning: Digital Learning Opportunities for Queen's

I. Background 

Development and delivery of online academic programming at Queen’s has historically resided within the various Faculties and Schools. Over the past years, there has been tremendous growth in this area across faculties. The Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) has tasked the Online Education Planning Working Group with assessing the current state of online learning at Queen’s with an eye to addressing academic, operational, and budgetary concerns to ensure that online learning at Queen’s contributes to an exceptional student learning experience.  

II. Mandate

  • To provide strategic direction that articulates the role of online academic programming for the future of Queen’s as part of the undergraduate and graduate student learning experience, domestically and internationally.
  • To develop principles for engagement and growth in consideration of Queen’s current and future enrollment management and other regulatory or operational constraints.
  • To develop principles for program development, delivery, and student recruitment in consideration of the quality of a Queen’s education, guided by the Online Learning Consortium’s Quality Scorecard for the Administration of Online Programs.
  • To identify target markets for online degree and certificate programs.
  • To determine what services and infrastructure are required to support the growth of online programs, including but not limited to student evaluations, IT infrastructure and support, library services, exams, student services (student success, career services, counselling), admissions, and convocation, and which of these services should be provided by the Faculties versus the University.
  • To ensure student fees accurately reflect the services available to online students.
  • To ensure that data regarding online learning at Queen’s is accurate, up-to-date, and available in a central location.
  • To ensure brand consistency in marketing materials, whether developed by University Marketing or by Faculties; to consider efficiencies in marketing online programs whether centralized or decentralized; to consider which aspects of marketing are program and faculty-specific and which ones are institutional (e.g., for international markets); and to ensure there is a central web presence for all online courses and programs that is accessible, user-friendly, and up-to-date.
  • To develop a report that articulates the above and makes appropriate recommendations.

III. Logistics 

The Online Education Planning Working Group will engage in meaningful consultations with representatives from (but not limited to) the following units: each of the Faculties and Schools, School of Graduate Studies, Centre for Teaching and Learning, University Library, Office of the University Registrar, Office of Institutional Reporting and Planning, Office of the Associate Vice-Principal (International), Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment, University Marketing, Human Rights Office, Equity Office, and the Accessibility Hub.

IV. Membership 

Name Title
Jill Scott

Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning)

Jill Atkinson 

Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) 

Stuart Pinchin 

Executive Director, Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment at Queen's University 

Martha Whitehead 

Vice-Provost (Digital Planning) and University Librarian 

 

Katherine O'Brien

 

Associate Vice-Principal (International) 

Ann Tierney

Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs 

Leslie Flynn

Vice-Dean, Education for Faculty of Health Sciences 

Michael Fraser 

Vice-Provost (University Relations)

Rebecca Luce-Kapler

Dean, Faculty of Education